Announcements

In-Person worship at Pre-COVID Conditions

Calendar Notes:
300th Anniversary - Worship June 27th, followed by light coffee hour. .  
all participants are invited to dress in colonial garb, similar to what might have been worn in 1721!   

June Mission Focus:  Church World Service Tools.   Let us spread love to others who are working to build or rebuild their communities with much-needed tools.  Contribute and take home a Father's Day card to give to a loved one. Notify Melanie Ouellette (chairman of Mission committee) if you have questions. Thank you for your support in advance. 
 

WORSHIP BULLETIN              

“As an Open and Affirming church:   

      We respect the worth and dignity of all persons who come into our church family regardless of race, age, marital standing, gender, economic status, mental or physical challenges, nationality or sexual

identity.  We promise to support one another in our personal struggles, to understand and accept differences in one another, and pray to strengthen our love and acceptance.”

*indicates those who are able are invited to stand

WELCOME

PRELUDE                        “Children of the Heavenly Father”-  Sarah Douglas

                                                                                                                                                 ( trad. Swedish Melody)

SILENT MEDITATION IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                    -Psalm 108:1-5

                        My heart, O God, is steadfast;

            I will sing and make music with all my soul.

                        Awake, harp and lyre!  I will awaken the dawn.

            I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;

            I will sing of you among the peoples.

                        For great is your love, higher than the heavens;

                         your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

            Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

             let your glory be over all the earth!

*HYMN #407                How Firm a Foundation                                         Foundation

*INVOCATION AND LORD’S PRAYER                   (debts - debtors)

Oh Holy God, we are so grateful to come together as your church and open ourselves to your presence.   We give you thanks for Jesus, our Teacher, whose word rebuked the wind and stilled the sea.   Speak to us today, O Jesus, in the midst of our own particular needs.  Let your word abide in us with a transforming sense of peace that we can share with others.  In your name we pray:  Our Father . . .

*GLORIA PATRI #759        

            Glory to the Creator, the Christ, the Holy Spirit

            Three in One; as it was in the beginning,

            Is now and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.                         

*PASSING OF THE PEACE

            May the peace of Christ be with you.

                        And also with you.  

SCRIPTURE LESSONS                                                                 Psalm 107:1-2, 23-32

                                                                                                                                                                                    Mark 4:35-41

TIME FOR CHILDREN

SERMON                                  Panic Mode                                                          

MOMENTS OF SILENCE

*HYMN #441                                    Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me                                                     Pilot

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

*HYMN #436                  God of Grace and God of Glory         CWM Rhondda

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE                      “This is My Father’s World”-  Robert J. Hughes

Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”                                                                                                                                                     - Matthew 16: 13-15 (NRSV)

                If you’re paying attention to the Gospels, the creeds, the culture, and your neighbors, you know what people are saying.  His next question is harder, because now he wants to uncover you. He’s also asking you to say it aloud, in public. Once you do, there’ll be consequences.

                A lot of queer people of my generation never came out to our parents, or we delayed it for a really long time. Most of them already knew, of course. And they’d found a way to accept us – silence. As long as nobody talked about it, they were okay.  But aloud?  They’d have to do something about it – either question their convictions and recalibrate their values, or reject their children and inflict a wound that might never heal.

                For many families, both choices were untenable. So we all colluded. No one said a word. The consequences of that silence were often warping.

The truth, Jesus says elsewhere, will make you free. Confessed aloud, it’ll also make you choose – how you’ll live, how you’ll love, how you’ll judge, and whether you’ll change.  The choice is really hard, and no one should ever be shamed or coerced into making it. Yet the payoff of speaking our truth is a chance at authenticity.   For everyone.                                                                               - Mary Luti

Global Ministries Prayers for Mexico   We come before you, Lord, in the way that your disciples did in the middle of the storm, seeking your protection and loving care.  We want to see you and listen to you, Lord, because you bring peace during the storm.  Thank you, Lord, for listening to us and encouraging us to continue believing in the love that shines even amid the darkness; for reviving in us the hope of a new dawn; for the chaos that teaches us to depend on you. We unite in prayer for our chaotic and suffering world, and especially for Mexico, that you may take care of us and we can be signs of your Kingdom of justice, life, and hope. Amen.

Michael G.  Noonan, Director of Music

Kay Lautzenheiser, Christian Education Coordinator

Rosemary Kuemper, Church Secretary - Charlotte Melia, Sexton

Our mailing address is:                                         Website:  www.northstoningtonucc.com
89 Main Street, P.O. Box 66  
North Stonington CT  06359

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